Mazda Workers Vote Attendance Bonuses

Hourly workers at Mazda Motor Manufacturing Corp. have voted for fat cash bonuses for themselves for perfect attendance and automatic dismissal for anyone missing 15 days a year.

The vote, held Monday and Tuesday, is the latest effort to curb high absenteeism, which auto makers regard as a serious roadblock, to boost quality and cut costs.

By a vote of 1,120 to 434, United Auto Workers Local 3000 chose a “no-fault” absenteeism policy, effective immediately.

The policy calls for an annual $1,500 bonus for perfect attendance, 60% of regular pay on the first four absences per year and automatic dismissal after 15 absences, or 6.25% of scheduled work days annually.

Under the plan, workers would be eligible for 15 sick days or personal days each year, not including holidays, vacations or pre-approved sick days.

At the same time, workers rejected a plan that included a $500 bonus for perfect attendance, 60% of regular pay for the first 14 absences per year and termination after the 15th absence.